Aces of Trades: Kenzi Tackett has found her place as a heavy equipment operator
RAY – She’s a heavy equipment operator – one of the best in the country.
“Growing up I was always outside,” recalled Kenzi Tackett. “I was usually playing in our creek making mud pies. I spent a good amount of time reading too. I love anything about history. I wanted to be a history teacher for as long as I can remember.”
“I wouldn’t say I dreamed of running heavy equipment growing up,” she continued, “but I was a kid who was always curious about how things worked. I can remember learning to change a tire and brakes before getting my license and I remember taking things apart just to learn how the insides worked.”
“I also have a memory,” she added, “of crossing the West Virginia border and seeing a crane lifting a huge rebar mat, maybe for the bridge deck or pier, and I remember thinking how cool it was and telling my dad I want to do that when I grow up.”
Today, Tackett is a heavy equipment operator, a member of Local 18 operating engineers.
“I can run anything,” she explained, “from a small walk-behind compactor to the biggest bulldozer or crane you’ve seen on the side of the road.”
Richard Groves is the regional coordinator for Local 18, Ohio Operating Engineers Apprenticeship and Training program.
“Kenzi has demonstrated her skills as a journeyperson on multiple pieces of equipment and proven herself on the jobs she has worked,” assessed Groves. “She has a positive impact in the skilled trades industry, and we could not be more proud of such an individual.”
Tackett grew up in Londonderry, studied carpentry in high school and graduated in 2010, then majored in secondary education at Shawnee State University.
“I went to college for a year, but it wasn’t for me,” she said. “I planned to follow the family tradition of being a carpenter with Local 200. But I have an uncle who deviated from the family tradition and decided to become an operator and talked me into applying because the pipeline was about to take off, and they find jobs for you through the union hall. Once I sat in that seat, I knew I loved this job.”
Meanwhile, Tackett just competed in a heavy equipment contest in North Carolina that was put on by Caterpillar. She was chosen as the Ohio candidate and competed with women from North and South America. She placed first in the skid steer competition and seconnd place overall.
“The contest was amazing!” she said. “They brought us together mainly to network and make lasting friendships while being a voice for other women in the field, but also to showcase to the world that women are just as capable in this field as a man. It was also to show that even though construction is a huge part of the jobs available today, only 14 percent of construction jobs are held by women.”
“I do love my job,” Tackett added. “I love that I can drive across the Portsmouth bypass, or the Ironton Russell bridge with my 9-year-old son and say, ‘Look, mama helped build this! This isn’t a thing that only dads are privy to anymore. Mama made that, buddy.’ His little eyes light up and he’s always got a question about what machines were used or how we got that bridge overhead!”
“I love being a voice for labor, unions, and the working class,” she concluded. “I love helping women and little girls realize they can operate these real-life Tonka toys.”
About the Series
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at gaznews@nncogannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Aces of Trades: Tackett finds success as a heavy equipment operator
